B.C.’s Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly has decided not to proceed with a planned trip to the Celebrating Salish Conference in Spokane, Washington, citing “consideration for safety concerns.”
It joins other First Nations Bands and organizations that have warned its members about travel to the United States in the current climate. On Jan. 23 the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a national advocacy organization working on behalf of First Nations people and communities across Canada, issued an “Important Travel Advisory.”
The advisory noted that AFN has heard reports that some First Nations citizens have been subjected to “increased questioning and detainment by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).” Any First Nations members travelling to the U.S. are being advised to carry valid identification, including a Status Card.
“Please note that federal law enforcement may not be familiar with Tribal IDs,” the advisory continues. “If an ICE agent does not accept your Tribal ID as identification, the Native American Rights Fund recommends that you request to speak to their supervisor.”
On Jan. 30 the Upper Nicola Band, based near Merritt, issued a warning to members, stating that Band leadership has become “increasingly concerned about the political unrest currently unfolding in the United States which we fear could be unsafe for First Nations People.
“[W]e have issued a travel advisory regarding travel to the U.S. and urge all members who must cross the border to take precautions and be aware of their rights.”
The Band cites the Jay Treaty, which was signed in 1794 between Great Britain and the United States. Article III states that it allows “Indians dwelling on either side of the said boundary line, freely to pass and repass, by land or inland navigation into the respective territories and countries of the two parties on the continent of America.” The right has subsequently been codified by the United States in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.
However, the Upper Nicola Band notes that although the Jay Treaty “reaffirms our right to travel freely to and from the United States, we expect that not every federal law enforcement officer and ICE agent will be familiar with our rights to cross the border freely.”
The warning comes after tribal leaders in the U.S. reported Native Americans there have been stopped, detained, or harassed by ICE agents, or arrested during the country’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants.
The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, based in Merritt, represents eight Nlaka’pamux bands (Ashcroft, Boston Bar, Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Nicomen, Nooaitch, Shackan, and Siska) in the Southern Interior. The Assembly’s Madelynn Albert says that the decision to cancel their attendance at the Celebrating Salish Conference was made out of an abundance of caution, and after hearing expressions of concern from Elders.
“We’re community-led and want to respect the wishes of the community,” she says. “We try to do what’s in the best interests of the community.”
Celebrating Salish is a language conference sponsored by the Salish School of Spokane. Albert explains that languages in the Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly’s area are connected to the Salish family, and members regularly participate in the conference. She adds that neighbouring nations also attend, and that 40 to 50 per cent of conference attendees are usually Canadian.
“We’ve been growing our group and attending. Different nations present on language revitalization efforts, share what’s working for their communities, and see if we can help others or navigate the complexities of language revitalization.”
Albert says that after seeing information about cross-border travel on social media, she checked to see if there were concerns within the community. “We’ve been reaching out based on what we were seeing and hearing and sharing thoughts about going on the trip.”
She adds that while she has not heard reports from any Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly members about issues they have had travelling to or in the U.S., they’re being proactive.
“We’re respecting the feelings of community members. In the last year or so I’ve heard that the recommendation [if travelling to the U.S.] is to take ID. If our community members choose to travel to the States, they should take the same precautions we’re seeing elsewhere.”